No deal at the Capitol

By Mark Fitton - Illinois News Network:


SPRINGFIELD — The score changed little in Springfield on Tuesday as Illinois slid into its new fiscal year without a budget.

The House and Senate held hearings, the governor and the speaker spoke to reporters (separately), staff members generated documents — and there wasn’t much sign of real give or take in the standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the legislative Democrats who control the General Assembly.

The biggest news of the day likely came in an afternoon press conference when Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, confirmed Democrats would introduce a one-month “essential services” budget of roughly $2.2 billion Wednesday.

If that bill is called in the House and Senate, the big question may be whether Democrats on their own can put up 71 votes needed for passage.

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